Heading to the RV Park: How to Ensure a Comfortable Campsite

Travel season is gearing up, and many enthusiastic travelers are setting their sights on some beautiful destinations. While driving on the open road is certainly one of the most glorifying aspects of the RVing lifestyle, it’s always nice to arrive at your destination, knowing that you have the next little while to simply bask in a blissful state of deep relaxation.

No matter what part of the country you plan on journeying towards, there are bound to be many RV parks to choose from. There will certainly be some campgrounds that stick out to you based on location, amenities, reputation, etc., but part of making your stay remarkable comes down to how you plan for, setup, and personalize your campsite.

To create a comfortable area for you and your travel passengers, here are some tips to keep in mind:

Make Sure You Can Efficiently Hook Up Your RV

If comfort is what you are trying to create with your campsite, you most likely want the ability to access all of your RV’s amenities, so it’s important to make sure that the RV park in question will allow you to do so. Some campgrounds don’t offer access for rigs that use 50 amp power, and because 50 amp hookups use more electricity, even some parks that do allow 50 amp rigs will charge you more than they would for 30 amp service.

Also, you’ll need to find out if the RV park offers partial hookups, meaning they allow for electricity and water, or full hookups, which also add sewer capabilities. Most offer both, but some only offer partial.

This is all important information you’ll want to clear up when making your reservation. After all, you don’t want to travel the entire way to the campground only to find out that you can’t hook up your RV and access the features that make RVing the pleasant, comfy experience it’s designed to be.

Scout the Location For Any Possible Obstacles

If possible, take a walk throughout your campsite before you drive your RV there to see if there are any obstacles in the way, such as low-hanging branches. This will make your entrance much more of a breeze, and it will also lower the risk of damage for your RV if you clear the way first.

If you have a large rig, it’s important to make sure the path to your campsite isn’t too narrow for you to fit comfortably. If it does appear that way, see if there is an alternate path, or ask the campground attendant if they would be willing to swap your spot out for a more convenient one.

Ensure There Is Room for Slideouts and RV Awnings

Once you clear the pathway to the campsite, it’s important to analyze the spot itself. Does it have room for you to have a bit of privacy? Can you open the slide outs?

If it’s hot outside, RV awnings often serve as a saving grace, providing much-needed relief from the sun. It’s hard to be comfortable and enjoy relaxing outdoors when the heat is overbearing, so you should make sure that there is space for you to extend your awning.

Some campsites are so close together that guests aren’t able to do this without crossing over into each other’s spots. If you want to play it safe, this is something you should call and ask about in advance when securing a campsite, as popular RV parks get booked up well in advance, meaning that there is no guarantee you could switch spots if the one that you originally book isn’t to your liking.

Create a Patio Area That’s Reasonable For Your Length of Stay

Patio furniture, awning mats, hammocks, grills, lighting, insect repellent, tables, etc. are all items that can help create a patio area perfect for lazily lounging around at your campsite. That being said, is it really worth it to pull out all the stops if you’re only going to be there for a night or two? If you’re going to spend more time setting up and tearing down than you would actually enjoying the little nest that you build, it may be helpful go for a minimalist approach. This all comes down to personal preference of course, but the point is to orchestrate your campsite set-up for maximum recreation and minimal busy work.

Triple Check Your List

This may sound like a no-brainer, but it can’t be emphasized enough. One of the most frustrating parts about any trip is realizing you left something crucial behind after you’ve finally arrived at your destination after a long day on the road. Especially if the RV park doesn’t have a c-store onsite, you don’t want to have to turn right back around to pick up the missing items.

The best preventive medicine for this annoying situation is to simply check your list multiple times. If you’re traveling with other people, have everyone do this. Also, there are many helpful RVing checklists online, such as this one, to help you get ideas on what to take with you that you may not even have thought of. The point is to make your campsite as cozy and relaxing as possible, and this starts with having all of the right gear.

Happy RVing!

Hopefully these tips give you some idea of what details to sort through to ensure your campsite is tailored for your ultimate enjoyment. It basically comes down to proper planning and thinking practically. If you take the time to do this, you should have no problem breathing deep and relaxing fully into a memorable RV vacation. Safe and happy travels!

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